Bathing boot with means to massage foot



NOV. 18, 1969 M 5 ALTMAN ET AL 3,478,738

BATHING BOOT WITH MEANS TO MASSAGE FOOT Filed July 15, 1966 2 Shee'ns-Sheekl l INVENTOR` MAX JALTM/V 4 J'AMS L/CO/Y ATTORNEY.

NOV. 18, 1969 Ml s, ALTMAN ET AL 3,478,738

BATHING BOOT WITH MEANS T0 MASSAGE FOOT Filed July 15, 196e l 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTORS MAX i Amm/v 4 v 1 J/-q/VEJ K COX ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 3,478,738 BATHING BOOT WITH MEANS TO MASSAGE FOOT Max S. Altman, 362 Knowlton Ave., Kenmore, N. 14217, and James V. Cox, West Seneca, N.Y.; said Cox assignor to said Altman Filed July 15, 1966, Ser. No. 565,531 Int. Cl. A61h 9/00, 35/00; A61m 31/00 U.S. Cl. 128-66 16 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A boot for bathing a foot including a sole, a lower body portion extendin-g upwardly from the sole and an upper body portion extending upwardly from the lower body portion, a seal in the form of a downwardly extending flap proximate the upper edge of the upper body portion, a removable resilient insole Within the boot, a strap for tightening the boot proximate the junction of the lower and upper body portions, and a strap proximate the upper edge of the upper body portion for tightening the upper edge of the upper body portion around the leg.

The present invention relates to an improved boot which is used for bathing the feet.

In the past various types of boots have been devised for bathing feet. These boots, which are adapted to contain a liquid, are generally in the shape of an overshoe and have provisions for sealing the cuff to prevent liquid from escaping from the boot. It is with an improvement in boots of the foregoing type that the present invention is concerned.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a foot bathing boot which includes an improved seal for preventing spillage of the liquid contained therein, either when a person is walking or lying down, without requiring extensive manipulations in securing the seal relative to the leg of the wearer. A related object of the present invention is to provide an effective seal for a boot of the foregoing type, said seal, while being highly ecient in minimizing leakage, still permitting the foot to be inserted and withdrawn in au extremely convenient manner, almost as if the seal were nonexistent.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved foot bathing boot which is capable of causing the liquid contained therein to produce a gentle massaging action when a person walks, thereby aiding in the removal of deteriorated tissue, stimulating blood circulation, and washing wounds.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a foot bathing boot which in addition to being lightweight has a relatively high insulating effect for retaining heat or cold. Other objects and attendant advantages of the present invention will readily be perceived hereafter.

The improved foot bathing boot of the present invention includes a lower portion for receiving the foot and an upper portion for encircling the lower portion of the leg of a person. The boot is fabricated from suitable impervious plastic material which is sufficiently strong to contain foot-bathing liquid. Insulation is provided so the boot will retain heat or cold, thereby obviating the neces- ICC sity for frequent liquid changes. A ilap is provided proximate the upper cuff of the -boot for acting as a seal to prevent spillage of liquid, either while the wearer is walking or lying down. The flap provides a highly ecient seal without requiring extensive manipulations in placing the flap in sealing position. In addition, the ap does not in any way interfere with the inserting and removing of a foot from the boot. A removable sponge-like insole serves a plurality of functions, namely, as a nonslip device, as an insulator, as a cushion to prevent undesired pressure on the 'sole of a persons foot, and as a sanitary aid inasmuch as Yit is removable and disposable. However, the most important features of the resilient sponge-like insole is that it provides a whirlpool-type massaging effect. In this respect a strap is provided across the instep of the boot to restrict the boot across the instep of the foot. Therefore, asa person walks he tends to compress the sponge-like insole and the liquid contained therein is forced into the remainder of the boot. However, since the strap restricts the volume of the boot across the instep of the person, the liquid must flow relatively fast through this area, thereby providing the massaging effect with a Whirlpool action. When the person lifts his foot from the door, the sponge will tend to return to its original shape thereby pulling liquid into it and thereby providing a further whirlpool action. The various aspects of the present invention will be more fully understood when the following portions of the specification are read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE l is a side elevational view of the improved foot bathing boot of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan View of the lboot;

FIGURE 3 is a schematic view of a plastic insert which may be placed in the boot; and

FIGURE 4 is a view, partially in cross section, taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIGURE 1.

The improved foot bathing boot 10 of the present invention includes a lower body portion 11 for containing a foot and an upper body portion 12 for encircling the lower portion of the leg. A sole 13 is attached to the lowermost part of lower body portion 11 by means of a heat sealed seam 14. The body of the boot consisting of portions 11 and 12 is fabricated from a single piece of material having a heat sealed seam 15 extending vertically along the front of the boot. A grommet 16 is inserted near the toe of the boot. This grommet is for mounting the boot on a hook for drying. All of the above mentioned seams are Water-tight and the material of the boot is water impervious.

'I'he above-mentioned portions 11 and 12, which form the wall of the boot, are fabricated from a quilted vinyl plastic material consisting of outer plastic layer 17 and inner plastic layer 18. Heat sealed seams 19, in the form of waves overlapping at their crests, join the inner and outer layers to each other to form air pockets 20. A brous polyester material 21 is sandwiched between outer layer 17 and inner layer 18 to provide body to the boot and also provide an insulating effect.

A plastic liner 22 is located in contiguous relationship relative to inner layer 18 and has its upper edge secured to said inner layer 18 at heat sealed seam 23 which encircles the upper portion of the boot proximate cuff 24.

The lower edge of liner 22 is joined at heat sealed seam 14, and the front edges of liner 22 are joined at heat sealed seam 15. It is to be noted that a space exists between liner 22 and inner layer 18 and this air space also functions to provide a certain amount of insulation. Plastic liner 22 also improves the leakproof quality of the boot.

The above described construction of the wall is also found in sole 13 which consists of an inner liner 22', an outer layer 17', and an inner layer 18', with seams 19 joining the inner and outer layers to provide air pockets 20', the edges of sole 13 being attached to the lower body portion 11 at heat sealed seam 14. A fibrous polyester material 21 is located in pockets 20. The numerals depicting various portions of the sole and designated by a prime are analogous to the same unprimed numerals described in detail above relative to the wall of the boot.

The upper body portion 12 is formed into a cuff 24 which consists of the entire thickness of the wall doubled back on itself with the lower portion heat-sealed to the remainder of the wall at seam 23. This causes the upper edge 26 to be rounded to minimize chang which may occur as a result of friction against the leg of the wearer. In addition, the doubling over of the wall at the cuff gives the boot greater body in this area.

The boot 10 includes an improved liquid seal construction for preventing ejection of liquid when a person walks and when the boot is worn while lying down. In this respect, a flap 27 (FIGS. 2 and 4) is provided with its upper portion being heat-sealed to upper body portion 12 at seam 23. Flap 27 may be fabricated from any suitable flexible plastic sheet material. As can be seen from FIGURE 4, flap 27 is essentially of inverted frustoconical configuration. The lower edge 28 of ap 27 is unattached and free. Flap 27 is continuous throughout its circumference except for the portions thereof adjacent seam 15, said portions terminating at ends 30 overlapping at 31 proximate seam 23. The fact that flap 27 has the foregoing discontinuity permits a wearer to insert and remove his foot without any interference from flap 27.

In order to provide a seal when the boot 10 is being worn, a strap arrangement 32 is provided which in this instance is known under the trademark Velcro and consists of a strap portion 33 having one end attached to the boot by a suitable rivet (not shown). The other portion of strap arrangement 32 consists of a strap 34 having an end attached to thewall of the boot by rivet 34". The other end of strap 3'4 is free. Strap 33 contains loops which receive tiny hooks on strap 34. The hooks and loops are selectively engageable and detachable.

Whenever the fastener 32 is closed to draw the cuff 24 tightly around the leg, as shown in FIGURE l, the ends 30 of ap 27 will lie in overlapping relationship to thereby provide an effectively continuous iiap for sealing liquid against leakage from the boot. It is to be especially noted that flap 27 is continuous in area 35 proximate the rear of the boot to provide a liquid barrier against leakage when the wearer is lying down. When strap 32 is unfastened the ends 30 of flap 27 will return to the position shown in FIGURE 4 to permit the foot to be removed without interference from the ap. The lower portions of iiap 27 proximate edge 28, being the smallest portion of the inverted frustoconical configuration, will tend to hug the leg when strap 32 is fastened and therefore not only tend to minimize leakage of liquid but also act as a heat barrier to tend to minimize loss of heat from the liquid within the boot.

A sponge-like insole 36 of the same general configuration in plan as sole 13 is selectively removable from the boot. Insole 36 performs a plurality of functions. It acts as a non-skid device and as a cushion for the sole of the foot. In addition, it retains moisture and heat proximate the sole of the foot. Furthermore, it can be disposable and therefore act as a removable sanitary cushion. However, its most important function is to act in conjunction with insole strap 37 to provide a whirlpool effect. Strap 37 may be the same type as noted above, namely, one known by the trademark Velcro having a strap portion 38 and a base portion 39. Portion 38 includes a plastic portion 38 secured to the wall of the boot by circular heat seal 33'. Velcro loop portion 38" is secured to strap 38 by a rivet (not shown) analogous to rivet 41' noted hereafter, Strap 39 includes a portion 39" secured to the boot wall by circular heat seal 34'. Velcro hook portion 40' is secured to strap 39 by rivet 41.

As can be seen from FIGURES 1 and 2, the strap 37 can be tightened across the instep of the wearer to restrict the volume of the boot about the arch and instep. Therefore, when a person bears down on the sole 13, as he would during taking a step, liquid will be expelled from sponge 36. Because of the restriction of the volume of the boot about the instep the liquid will travel with relatively high velocity away from the lower body portion 11. Conversely, when pressure is relieved from insole 36 it will tend to expand and suck liquid into lower body portion 11 past the restriction provided by strap 37 with a relatively high velocity. The foregoing action will provide a Whirlpool effect which provides a plurality of beneficial actions, namely, a gentle massaging which stimulates blood circulation and a iiow of liquid which tends to remove dead tissue. In addition, if the liquid is medicated, the medicine will be forced into the wounds incidental to the washing action provided by the liquid,

If the boot is to be used in an institution, such as a nursing home, a plastic liner 40 of the general contour of the inside of boot 10 may be inserted into the boot with sponge 36 being inserted within boot 40. This permits one boot to serve different patients. If the sponge 36 is placed between liner 40 and the boot, the above described whirlpool effect will still be obtained because the sponge 36 produces a variable volume around the foot, as described above.

In addition, the liner permits the boot to provide dry cold. In this respect, crushed ice and water may be placed in the boot itself and the foot may then be placed in plastic liner 40 which is thereafter inserted into the boot with the foot, thereby causing the ice water to surround the plastic liner 40.

The above description has referred to vinyl plastic material which is the common name for polyvinyl chloride, and all plastic parts of the boots are made from this material.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it will readily be appreciated that it is not limited thereto but may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A boot for bathing a foot comprising a lower body portion for containing a foot, an upper body portion extending upwardly from said lower body portion for encircling a leg, said upper body portion terminating at an upper edge defining an opening for insertion of said foot into said boot, a ap connected to said boot and extendlng below said upper edge and having an upper flap portion and a lower flap portion, said upper flap portion and said lower tiap portion both being inside said boot, said upper flap portion being secured to said upper body portion, said lower ap portion being unattached and extending downwardly from said upper edge when said flap is located within said boot when said upper body portion encircles a leg in use, and tightening means located outside said boot proximate said upper flap portion and above said lower flap portion for tightening said upper body portion about said leg when said Hap is within said upper body portion to thereby cause said upper flap portion to engage said leg and cause said lower iiap portion t0 hang freely below said tightening means to provide an effective seal against escape of liquid from inside of said boot and to tend to insulate said liquid.

2. A boot as set forth in claim 1 wherein lower and anar/st;I

upper body portions of said boot include multi-ply wall portions secured to each other at spaced locations for providing an insulating effect and for tending to prevent leakage.

3. A boot as set forth in claim 2 wherein said upper body portion terminates at a turned-over cuff which includes said upper edge to minimize chafing of any portion of said leg contacting s aid upper edge, said upper edge extending above said tightening means.

4. A boot as set forth in claim 2 including a removable resilient insole for placement in said boot.

5. A boot as set forth in claim 2 wherein said` flap includes means for permitting the effective expansion thereof to facilitate the insertion and removal of said foot from said boot when said tightening means are in a loosened condition. 1

6. A boot as set forth in claim 1 including a removable resilient insole for placement inside of said boot.

7. A boot as set forth in claim 6 wherein said flap includes means for permitting the effective expansion thereof to facilitate the insertion and removal of said foot from said boot and wherein said flap when in the position which it occupies when said tightening means on said upper portion of said boot are tightened tends to lprevent liquid from squirting out beyond said upper edge incidental to the compression of said insole which is experienced during walking.

8. A boot as set forth in claim 1 including means attached proximate said lower body portion for hanging said boot with said opening pointing downwardly to permit drainage. v p

9. A boot as set forth in claim 1 wherein said upper body portion terminates at a turned-over cuff which includes said upper edge to minimize chafing of any portion of said leg contacting said upper edge, said upper edge extending above said tightening means.

10. A boot as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flap includes Imeans for permitting the effective expansion thereof to facilitate the insertion and removal of said foot from said boot when said tightening means are in a loosened condition.

11. A boot for bathing a foot comprising a lower body portion for containing a foot, an upper body portion extending upwardly from said lower body portion for encircling a leg, said upper body portion terminating at an upper edge defining an opening for insertion of said foot into said boot, a flap having an upper flap portion and a lower flap portion, said upper flap portion being secured to said upper body portion, said lower flap portion being unattached and extending downwardly from said upper edge when said flap is located within said boot when said upper body portion encircles a leg in use, and means for tightening said upper body portion about said leg when said flap is within said upper body portion to thereby cause said flap to provide an effective seal against escape of liquid from inside of said boot and to tend to insulate said liquid, said flap including means for per- -rnitting the effective expansion thereof to facilitate the insertion vand removal of said foot from said boot, and said flap being continuous in a circumferential direction except that said means for permitting the effective expansion thereof consists of a discontinuity consisting of unjoined end portions of said flap, said unjoined end portions also functioning as a spout for emptying liquid from said boot.

12. A boot as set forth in claim 4 wherein said discontinuity is located at the front of said boot and wherein said means for tightening said upper portion are located on the outside of said boot in substantial opposition to said discontinuity.

13. A boot for bathing a foot comprising a lower body portion for containing a foot, an upper body portion extending upwardly from said lower body portion for encircling a leg, said upper body portion terminating at an upper edge defining an opening for insertion of said foot into said boot, a flap having an upper flap portion and a lower flap portion, said upper llap portion being secured to said upper body portion, said lower flap portion being unattached and extending downwardly from said upper edge when said flap is located within said boot when said upper body portion encircles a leg in use, means for tightening said upper body portion about said leg when said flap is within said upper body portion to thereby cause said flap to provide an effective seal against escape of liquid from inside of said boot and to tend to insulate said liquid, a removable resilient insole for placement inside of said boot, and means for tightening said boot about an instep substantially at the junction of said foot and leg to aid in holding said boot in position and to cause liquid within said boot to move relative to the outer surface of said foot with `a relatively high velocity incidental to the compression and expansion of said insole.

14. A boot for bathing a foot comprising a lower body portion for containing a foot, an upper body portion extending upwardly from said lower body portion for encircling a leg, said upper body portion terminating at an upper edge defining an opening for insertion of said foot into said boot, a flap having an upper flap portion and a lower flap portion, said upper flap portion being secured to said upper body portion, said lower flap portion being unattached and extending downwardly from said upper edge when said flap is located within said boot when said upper body portion encircles a leg in use, means for tightening said upper body portion about said leg when said flap is within said upper body portion to thereby cause said flap to provide an effective seal against escape of liquid from inside of said boot and to tend to insulate said liquid, a removable resilient insole for placement inside o-f said boot, said flap including means for permitting the effective expansion thereof to facilitate the insertion and removal of said foot from said Iboot, said flap when in the position which it occupies when said means on said upper portion of said boot are tightened tending to pre- Vent liquid from squirting out beyond said upper edge incidental to the compression of said insole which is experienced during walking, said upper and lower body portions of said boot including multi-ply wall portions secured to each other at spaced locations to trap air pockets therebetween for providing an insulating effect, means for tightening said boot about an instep substantially the junction of said foot and leg to aid in holding said boot in position and to cause liquid within said boot to move relative to the outer surface of said foot with a relatively high velocity incidental to the compression and expansion of said insole, an overturned cuff at said upper edge of said body portion to minimize chang of the portion of said leg contacting said upper edge, and means attached relative to said lower body portion for permitting said boot to be hung with the opening pointing downwardly to permit drainage of liquid from said boot.

15. A boot for bathing a foot comprising a sole, a completely closed lower body portion attached to said sole, an upper body portion extending upwardly from said body an upper body portion extending upwardly from said lower body portion and terminating at an upper edge defining an opening for insertion of a foot, said upper and lower body portions being fabricated of flexible material, means proximate said upper edge for impeding the escape of liquid and heat from the inside of said boot, a removable resilient insole for placement within said boot, and means for tightening said boot proximate the junction of said lower and upper body portions at the instep to restrict the volume of said boot in this region by causing said flexible material to have a reduced cross sectional area to cause liquid within said lower body portion to travel with a relatively high velocity relative to said foot incidental to changes in volume of said resilent insole resulting from the compression and expansion thereof.

16. A boot as set forth in claim 15 wherein said upper body portion terminates at a turned-over cuff including References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS King et al 12S- 581 X Gray 12S-66 X Montano 36-8.1 Birkie 12s-260 10 8 2,582,648 1/1952 Mowbray 36-8.1 2,888,016 5/1959 DeLamater 128-260 3,106,790 10/1963 Zimmon 36-50 X RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner J. D. YASKO, Assistant Examiner 753g UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,478,738 Dated November 18, 1969 Inventor-(s) Max S. Altman and James V. Cox

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5, line 66, change "4" to -ll.

Column 6, line 58, delete "body" (second occurrence); line 59, delete "an upper body portion extending upwardly from said".

ma@ ma SEALED FEB 2 41970 (SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM l. SGKUYLER, JB. EdnrdlLFlcwher. Il. missin of Patents Officer 

